OVERUSE OF FLIP FLOPS AND ORTHOPEDIC PROBLEMS
I have to be honest, this article was inspired by my aching feet. Even though I’m a big advocate of quality footwear, I wore a pair of cheap flip flops today as I went to get my pedicure. I thought I was just going to be in and out of my car, but then I stopped to get groceries and a few other things. By the time I got home, I had spent 2-3 hours walking in my flip flops. My feet were sore, my calves felt tight and I couldn’t wait to take them off. Since everybody I know owns at least one pair of flip flops and because I’ve helped so many people with their foot problems, I wanted to share some knowledge about everyone’s favorite footwear.
When you wear flip flops, you alter your gait, which can result in problems and pain from the foot up to the hips and lower back. The reason for gait alteration is because you’re trying to keep the flip flops from falling off your feet. Therefore you take shorter steps with limited motion in your feet, ankles and knees. Of course, you don’t do it consciously, but your body adapts to the circumstances and does whatever it needs to do to keep you from falling or otherwise hurting yourself.
Flip flops are great for a short period of time, but make sure you don’t wear them all day everyday. The best thing is to give your feet variety and have at least 2-3 pairs of comfortable footwear that you rotate around. Also, make sure you walk around barefooted sometimes. Your feet will love it!
Next week I will share some of my best techniques about how to rejuvenate and release the tissues in your feet.
